Mediterranean Dairy Guide

16 items classified under standard Mediterranean guidelines.

This guide covers all 16 dairy classified under Mediterranean guidelines. Mediterranean evaluates foods primarily by how often the food appears in the traditional Mediterranean pattern, which determines how each item in this category is classified.

Quick Reference

Food Status Calories (per 100g)
Cheese Allowed 295kcal
Milk Allowed 52kcal
Brie Limited 334kcal
Buttermilk Limited 40kcal
Cheddar Limited 410kcal
Cottage Cheese Limited 148kcal
Feta Limited 265kcal
Goat Cheese Limited 142kcal
Ice Cream Limited 237kcal
Mac and Cheese Limited 257kcal
Mozzarella Limited 141kcal
Parmesan Limited 370kcal
Ricotta Limited 150kcal
Swiss Cheese Limited 290kcal
Whipped Cream Limited 257kcal
Yogurt Limited 81kcal

Classification Breakdown

2 Allowed — These dairy are a regular feature of the traditional Mediterranean pattern. 14 Limited — These items have allowed in moderation rather than as a staple.

Mediterranean is a frequency pattern, not a banned-list diet. Most foods fit somewhere on the spectrum.

Allowed Dairy (2)

Cheese

Allowed

At 295kcal calories per 100g, Cheese falls into the Allowed category under Mediterranean guidelines. It is a regular feature of the traditional Mediterranean pattern. Beyond the primary classification, cheese also provides 7.1g protein and 28.6g fat per 100g. It ranks among the highest in this category for calories. The nearest lower option is Swiss Cheese at 290kcal.

Per 100g · Source: USDA FoodData Central

VariantCaloriesProteinFatCarbsFiber
Cheddar409kcal23.3g34g2.4g0g
Mozzarella299kcal22.2g22.1g2.4g0g
Swiss393kcal27g31g1.4g

Compare Cheese across all diets

Milk

Allowed

Milk is classified as Allowed on Mediterranean, with 52kcal calories per 100g. This means it is a regular feature of the traditional Mediterranean pattern. Among the 16 items in this category, milk sits at the low end for calories — next closest is Yogurt at 81kcal.

Per 100g · Source: USDA FoodData Central

VariantCaloriesProteinFatCarbsFiber
Whole Milk60kcal3.3g3.2g4.6g
2% Milk50kcal3.3g2g4.8g0g
Skim Milk35kcal3.4g0.2g4.9g0g

Compare Milk across all diets

Limited Dairy (14)

Brie

Limited

Brie is classified as Limited on Mediterranean, with 334kcal calories per 100g. The classification reflects that it is allowed in moderation rather than as a staple. Nutritionally, it also delivers 20.8g protein and 27.7g fat per serving. It ranks among the highest in this category for calories. The nearest lower option is Cheese at 295kcal. Check the label carefully: the same product can be compliant or not depending on the specific brand or how it was prepared.

Per 100g · Source: USDA FoodData Central

334kcalCalories
20.8gProtein
27.7gFat
0.5gCarbs
0gFiber

Compare Brie across all diets

Buttermilk

Limited

Buttermilk is classified as Limited on Mediterranean, with 40kcal calories per 100g. This means it is allowed in moderation rather than as a staple. Among the 16 items in this category, buttermilk sits at the low end for calories — next closest is Milk at 52kcal. Check the label carefully: the same product can be compliant or not depending on the specific brand or how it was prepared.

Per 100g · Source: USDA FoodData Central

40kcalCalories
3.3gProtein
0.9gFat
4.8gCarbs
0gFiber

Compare Buttermilk across all diets

Cheddar

Limited

Cheddar is classified as Limited on Mediterranean, with 410kcal calories per 100g. This means it is allowed in moderation rather than as a staple. It also contains 24.2g protein and 33.8g fat, which may factor into overall meal planning. It ranks among the highest in this category for calories. The nearest lower option is Parmesan at 370kcal. The "Limited" label means the classification depends on specific conditions — portion size, brand formulation, or preparation method can shift it from compliant to non-compliant.

Per 100g · Source: USDA FoodData Central

410kcalCalories
24.2gProtein
33.8gFat
2.1gCarbs
0gFiber

Compare Cheddar across all diets

Cottage Cheese

Limited

With 148kcal calories per 100g, Cottage Cheese earns a Limited classification on Mediterranean. This means it is allowed in moderation rather than as a staple. It also contains 11g protein and 9.7g fat, which may factor into overall meal planning. Within this category, it falls between Goat Cheese and Ricotta for calories, ranking 6 of 16. The "Limited" label means the classification depends on specific conditions — portion size, brand formulation, or preparation method can shift it from compliant to non-compliant.

Per 100g · Source: USDA FoodData Central

VariantCaloriesProteinFatCarbsFiber
Full-Fat (4%)103kcal11.6g4.2g4.6g0g
Low-Fat (1%)72kcal12.4g1g2.7g0g

Compare Cottage Cheese across all diets

Feta

Limited

With 265kcal calories per 100g, Feta earns a Limited classification on Mediterranean. This means it is allowed in moderation rather than as a staple. It also contains 14.2g protein and 21.5g fat, which may factor into overall meal planning. Within this category, it falls between Whipped Cream and Swiss Cheese for calories, ranking 11 of 16. Check the label carefully: the same product can be compliant or not depending on the specific brand or how it was prepared.

Per 100g · Source: USDA FoodData Central

265kcalCalories
14.2gProtein
21.5gFat
3.9gCarbs
0gFiber

Compare Feta across all diets

Goat Cheese

Limited

With 142kcal calories per 100g, Goat Cheese earns a Limited classification on Mediterranean. It is allowed in moderation rather than as a staple. Beyond the primary classification, goat cheese also provides 26.9g protein and 392mg sodium per 100g. Within this category, it falls between Mozzarella and Cottage Cheese for calories, ranking 5 of 16. Portion control is key here — a small amount may fit within the diet's parameters, while a full serving may not.

Per 100g · Source: USDA FoodData Central

142kcalCalories
26.9gProtein
3gFat
0gCarbs
0gFiber

Compare Goat Cheese across all diets

Ice Cream

Limited

At 237kcal calories per 100g, Ice Cream falls into the Limited category under Mediterranean guidelines. It is allowed in moderation rather than as a staple. Beyond the primary classification, ice cream also provides 8.6g fat per 100g. Within this category, it falls between Ricotta and Mac and Cheese for calories, ranking 8 of 16. The "Limited" label means the classification depends on specific conditions — portion size, brand formulation, or preparation method can shift it from compliant to non-compliant.

Per 100g · Source: USDA FoodData Central

237kcalCalories
4.3gProtein
8.6gFat
37.1gCarbs
0gFiber

Compare Ice Cream across all diets

Mac and Cheese

Limited

With 257kcal calories per 100g, Mac and Cheese earns a Limited classification on Mediterranean. It is allowed in moderation rather than as a staple. Beyond the primary classification, mac and cheese also provides 11.8g protein and 15g fat per 100g. Within this category, it falls between Ice Cream and Whipped Cream for calories, ranking 9 of 16. Portion control is key here — a small amount may fit within the diet's parameters, while a full serving may not.

Per 100g · Source: USDA FoodData Central

257kcalCalories
11.8gProtein
15gFat
20.1gCarbs
1.6gFiber

Compare Mac and Cheese across all diets

Mozzarella

Limited

At 141kcal calories per 100g, Mozzarella falls into the Limited category under Mediterranean guidelines. The classification reflects that it is allowed in moderation rather than as a staple. Nutritionally, it also delivers 31.7g protein and 743mg sodium per serving. Among the 16 items in this category, mozzarella sits at the low end for calories — next closest is Goat Cheese at 142kcal. Check the label carefully: the same product can be compliant or not depending on the specific brand or how it was prepared.

Per 100g · Source: USDA FoodData Central

141kcalCalories
31.7gProtein
0gFat
3.5gCarbs
1.8gFiber

Compare Mozzarella across all diets

Parmesan

Limited

With 370kcal calories per 100g, Parmesan earns a Limited classification on Mediterranean. This means it is allowed in moderation rather than as a staple. It also contains 40g protein and 1150mg sodium, which may factor into overall meal planning. It ranks among the highest in this category for calories. The nearest lower option is Brie at 334kcal. The "Limited" label means the classification depends on specific conditions — portion size, brand formulation, or preparation method can shift it from compliant to non-compliant.

Per 100g · Source: USDA FoodData Central

370kcalCalories
40gProtein
5gFat
40gCarbs
0gFiber

Compare Parmesan across all diets

Ricotta

Limited

Ricotta is classified as Limited on Mediterranean, with 150kcal calories per 100g. The classification reflects that it is allowed in moderation rather than as a staple. Nutritionally, it also delivers 7.5g protein and 10.2g fat per serving. Within this category, it falls between Cottage Cheese and Ice Cream for calories, ranking 7 of 16. Check the label carefully: the same product can be compliant or not depending on the specific brand or how it was prepared.

Per 100g · Source: USDA FoodData Central

150kcalCalories
7.5gProtein
10.2gFat
7.3gCarbs
0gFiber

Compare Ricotta across all diets

Swiss Cheese

Limited

With 290kcal calories per 100g, Swiss Cheese earns a Limited classification on Mediterranean. It is allowed in moderation rather than as a staple. Beyond the primary classification, swiss cheese also provides 16.4g protein and 21.2g fat per 100g. Within this category, it falls between Feta and Cheese for calories, ranking 12 of 16. Check the label carefully: the same product can be compliant or not depending on the specific brand or how it was prepared.

Per 100g · Source: USDA FoodData Central

290kcalCalories
16.4gProtein
21.2gFat
8.7gCarbs
0gFiber

Compare Swiss Cheese across all diets

Whipped Cream

Limited

With 257kcal calories per 100g, Whipped Cream earns a Limited classification on Mediterranean. This means it is allowed in moderation rather than as a staple. It also contains 22.2g fat, which may factor into overall meal planning. Within this category, it falls between Mac and Cheese and Feta for calories, ranking 10 of 16. Check the label carefully: the same product can be compliant or not depending on the specific brand or how it was prepared.

Per 100g · Source: USDA FoodData Central

257kcalCalories
3.2gProtein
22.2gFat
12.5gCarbs
0gFiber

Compare Whipped Cream across all diets

Yogurt

Limited

At 81kcal calories per 100g, Yogurt falls into the Limited category under Mediterranean guidelines. This means it is allowed in moderation rather than as a staple. Among the 16 items in this category, yogurt sits at the low end for calories — next closest is Mozzarella at 141kcal. Portion control is key here — a small amount may fit within the diet's parameters, while a full serving may not.

Per 100g · Source: USDA FoodData Central

VariantCaloriesProteinFatCarbsFiber
Plain Whole Milk Yogurt61kcal3.5g3.3g4.7g0g
Plain Low-Fat Yogurt63kcal5.3g1.6g7g0g
Plain Nonfat Yogurt56kcal5.7g0.2g7.7g0g

Compare Yogurt across all diets